TALL TALES OF TEXAS/SPORTS: Jean Moats of Jacksonville Beach, Florida gets into the action at the Chariot Races at the Texas Renaissance Festival near Magnolia, Texas. Three chariots, each pulled by two horses, make one lap around the oval track. Staff Photo By: John Davenport less

TALL TALES OF TEXAS/SPORTS: Jean Moats of Jacksonville Beach, Florida gets into the action at the Chariot Races at the Texas Renaissance Festival near Magnolia, Texas. Three chariots, each pulled by two horses, ... more

SPORTS/TALL TALES OF TEXAS: Joe Hejl (L) and Jeffrey Shive (rt.) negotiate a muddy curve while battling towards the finish line at the chariot races at the Texas Renaissance Festival on Sunday (Ocober 10). Three races are held each Sunday at the fesival, and each race consists only of one lap. STAFF PHOTO BY: JOHN DAVENPORT less

SPORTS/TALL TALES OF TEXAS: Joe Hejl (L) and Jeffrey Shive (rt.) negotiate a muddy curve while battling towards the finish line at the chariot races at the Texas Renaissance Festival on Sunday (Ocober 10). ... more

TALL TALES OF TEXAS/SPORTS: Cole Harrington of Anderson, Texas stretches before heading out to the track at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Harrington, one of many horseman there, participates in jousting and uses the same stables as the chariot races. STAFF PHOTO BY: JOHN DAVENPORT less

TALL TALES OF TEXAS/SPORTS: Cole Harrington of Anderson, Texas stretches before heading out to the track at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Harrington, one of many horseman there, participates in jousting and ... more

TALL TALES OF TEXAS/SPORTS: Jennifer Wick of Spring, Texas takes her place on the track as the "prize" for the winning chariot racer after the race. Three races are held each Sunday at the Texas renaissance Festival. STAFF PHOTO BY: JOHN DAVENPORT less

TALL TALES OF TEXAS/SPORTS: Jennifer Wick of Spring, Texas takes her place on the track as the "prize" for the winning chariot racer after the race. Three races are held each Sunday at the Texas renaissance ... more

Chris DeSmith, left, helps T.J. Omoso try on a chainmail coif, which was a type of armor used to protect the head during a battle in the medieval times, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006, during the 12th annual Sci Tech Renaissance Festival at The Science Academy of South Texas in Mercedes, Texas. The Sci Tech senior class sponsored the event that recreates the world of the 16th Century. (AP Photo/The Valley Morning Star, Gabe Hernandez) less

Chris DeSmith, left, helps T.J. Omoso try on a chainmail coif, which was a type of armor used to protect the head during a battle in the medieval times, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006, during the 12th annual Sci Tech ... more

The King and his court at the Texas Renaissance Festival. (From L... Photo-5433279.73647 - seattlepi.com

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Chiron the Centaur walks into the Texas Renaissance Festival Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, in Plantersville.
The Texas Renaissance Festival is in its 36th year and is the largest in the Nation bringing the beauty of the 16th Century to life for 8 weekends. Over 400,000 people visit the festival and see the 200 daily performances and 340 merchants.
( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle ) less

Chiron the Centaur walks into the Texas Renaissance Festival Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010, in Plantersville.
The Texas Renaissance Festival is in its 36th year and is the largest in the Nation bringing the beauty ... more

The joust is the most popular event at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Knights, identified as English, French, German or Spanish square off. Here, the German knight attempts to wrest control of a lance from the English knight. Photo by Joshua Trudell/Special to the Express-News less

The joust is the most popular event at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Knights, identified as English, French, German or Spanish square off. Here, the German knight attempts to wrest control of a lance from the ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUDELL, File Photo

The joust is the most popular event at the Texas Renaissance... Photo-5433275.73647 - seattlepi.com

Costumes worn by performers and attendees at the Texas Renaissance Festival vary widely, and are often intricately detailed. Photo by Joshua Trudell//Special to the Express-News

Costumes worn by performers and attendees at the Texas Renaissance Festival vary widely, and are often intricately detailed. Photo by Joshua Trudell//Special to the Express-News

Photo: JOSHUA TRUDELL, File Photo

Costumes worn by performers and attendees at the Texas Renaissance... Photo-5433273.73647 - seattlepi.com

Image 22 of 55

The Texas Renaissance Festival hires and trains actors ages 9 and up for different performances. These performed a formal dance routine on the midway. Photo by Joshua Trudell/Special to the Express-News

The Texas Renaissance Festival hires and trains actors ages 9 and up for different performances. These performed a formal dance routine on the midway. Photo by Joshua Trudell/Special to the Express-News

Comedian Jim MacKenzie is one of the dozens of street performers who regularly play the Texas Renaissance Festival. Photo by Joshua Trudell//Special to the Express-News.

Comedian Jim MacKenzie is one of the dozens of street performers who regularly play the Texas Renaissance Festival. Photo by Joshua Trudell//Special to the Express-News.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUDELL, File Photo

Comedian Jim MacKenzie is one of the dozens of street performers... Photo-5433272.73647 - seattlepi.com

Image 24 of 55

Jousting is the centerpiece of the Texas Renaissance Festival. COURTESY PHOTO

Jousting is the centerpiece of the Texas Renaissance Festival. COURTESY PHOTO

Photo: File Photo

Jousting is the centerpiece of the Texas Renaissance Festival.... Photo-5433270.73647 - seattlepi.com

Image 25 of 55

Steve Poncio climbs down a ladder after repairing the stucco on the castlements of building while prepping for the upcoming Texas Renaissance Festival Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011, in Plantersville.
The Texas Renaissance Festival opens this coming weekend and every Saturday and Sunday from Ocotober 8 - Novermber 27.
( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle ) less

Steve Poncio climbs down a ladder after repairing the stucco on the castlements of building while prepping for the upcoming Texas Renaissance Festival Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011, in Plantersville.
The Texas ... more

Photo: Michael Paulsen, File Photo

Steve Poncio climbs down a ladder after repairing the stucco on the... Photo-5433269.73647 - seattlepi.com

Spanky Nipple Twist, left, and Bily Billy von Billy, both of the Sturdy Beggars, do their comedy routine at the Mud Pit stage during the Texas Renaissance Festival, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The festival will continue until November 25th. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) less

Spanky Nipple Twist, left, and Bily Billy von Billy, both of the Sturdy Beggars, do their comedy routine at the Mud Pit stage during the Texas Renaissance Festival, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The ... more

The Steele Sisters' Nicole Skelly, facing, and Samantha McDonald, fight it out in a combat style of comedy act during the Texas Renaissance Festival, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The show consists of a rivalry of two sisters mixing in bawdy humor and sword fighting. The festival will continue until November 25th. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) less

The Steele Sisters' Nicole Skelly, facing, and Samantha McDonald, fight it out in a combat style of comedy act during the Texas Renaissance Festival, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The show consists ... more

The Steele Sisters comedy act includes Samantha McDonald, left, and Nicole Skelly, who perform during the Texas Renaissance Festival, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The show consists of a rivalry of two sisters mixing in bawdy humor and sword fighting. The festival will continue until November 25th. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) less

The Steele Sisters comedy act includes Samantha McDonald, left, and Nicole Skelly, who perform during the Texas Renaissance Festival, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The show consists of a rivalry of ... more

Spanky Nipple Twist, of the Sturdy Beggars, eats mud as a part of his comedy routine at the Mud Pit stage during the Texas Renaissance Festival, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The festival will continue until November 25th. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) less

Spanky Nipple Twist, of the Sturdy Beggars, eats mud as a part of his comedy routine at the Mud Pit stage during the Texas Renaissance Festival, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The festival will ... more

Photo: Nick De La Torre, File Photo

Spanky Nipple Twist, of the Sturdy Beggars, eats mud as a part of... Photo-5433261.73647 - seattlepi.com

Image 31 of 55

Bily Billy von Billy, front, and Spanky Nipple Twist, make the audience of the Mud Pit stage laugh with their comedy routine during the Texas Renaissance Festival, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The festival will continue until November 25th. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) less

Bily Billy von Billy, front, and Spanky Nipple Twist, make the audience of the Mud Pit stage laugh with their comedy routine during the Texas Renaissance Festival, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The ... more

The Texas Renaissance Festival morning parade had the festivals street wakers, performers and royalty walk along the main thoroughfare, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The festival will continue until November 25th. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) less

The Texas Renaissance Festival morning parade had the festivals street wakers, performers and royalty walk along the main thoroughfare, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The festival will continue until ... more

The Steele Sisters' Nicole Skelly, facing, and Samantha McDonald, fight it out in a combat style of comedy act during the Texas Renaissance Festival, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The show consists of a rivalry of two sisters mixing in bawdy humor and sword fighting. The festival will continue until November 25th. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) less

The Steele Sisters' Nicole Skelly, facing, and Samantha McDonald, fight it out in a combat style of comedy act during the Texas Renaissance Festival, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The show consists ... more

The Steele Sisters comedy act includes Samantha McDonald, left, and Nicole Skelly, who perform during the Texas Renaissance Festival, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The show consists of a rivalry of two sisters mixing in bawdy humor and sword fighting. The festival will continue until November 25th. ( Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle ) less

The Steele Sisters comedy act includes Samantha McDonald, left, and Nicole Skelly, who perform during the Texas Renaissance Festival, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Todd Mission. The show consists of a rivalry of ... more